Anyone can be a “VIP Host”, we are LVXPERTS.
A former casino executive turned nightlife and entertainment guru, David Pappas is known for shaking things up on the Las Vegas Strip.
Pappas, a former UNLV football star and captain of the team, started working in the gaming and hospitality industry right after college after an injury sidelined his NFL plans. At just 21 years old, the UNLV graduate took a position at The Mirage in 1991 as a self-described “pool boy” and hard count attendant, and rapidly rose through the ranks. Following college graduation, Pappas was selected to the prestigious Management Associate Program, MAP, an intensive, two year development and training program. MAP requires applicants to be in the top one percent of their graduating class and each individual goes through a year long interview process.
When he was just 25 years old, Pappas became the youngest shift manager at The Mirage, and a few years later in 1998 Steve Wynn placed Pappas on the advanced opening team for the Bellagio as the Director of Slot Operations and later became a Player Development Executive at Bellagio. After many years of hotel and casino experience in Las Vegas, Pappas was promoted to Vice President of West Coast Operations and Marketing for MGM Mirage Corporate and relocated to their Beverly Hills office. In this position Pappas was responsible for client acquisition and branding for the entire west coast.
In 2008, three weeks before Rok Vegas in New York New York was set to open without a marketing plan, promotions, strategy or team they looked to Pappas for help. He positioned the team enhanced the marketing plan and subjugated operations to open Rok Vegas on time and within weeks compete with the top clubs in Las Vegas, selling over 200 bottles per week.
His first interest in the nightlife industry came while working as a casino executive, where Pappas was continually looking for ways to bring impeccable service to his clients. Pappas was appointed general manager of The Beatles REVOLUTION Lounge in The Mirage and continued to make his mark in the nightlife industry. Prior to joining the Playground team, Pappas was Vice President of Marketing at Olympic Gardens gentlemen’s club.
And as the Vice President of Marketing for Playground, Las Vegas’ first entertainment and nightlife complex, Pappas put his varied expertise as a VIP host, head of nightlife operations and in the gentlemen’s club industry to good work.
Born in New York, Pappas was raised in Fountain Hills, the “Beverly Hills” of Arizona, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration and an Associates degree in Culinary Arts.
